Reports: Sabres hire Krueger to replace Housley

The Buffalo Sabres have hired Ralph Krueger to become their next head coach, according to multiple reports.

The news of Krueger’s hiring was first reported by Canada’s SportsNet.ca.

The 59-year-old Krueger previously coached the Edmonton Oilers during the NHL’s lockout-shortened season in 2012-13. Krueger has vast hockey coaching experience, including serving as head coach of Switzerland’s national team.

He returns to the NHL after spending the past five years as chairman of soccer’s Southampton F.C. of the English Premier League.

Krueger replaces Phil Housley, who was fired after just two seasons, including this past year when he oversaw a team that won just 16 of its final 57 games following a 10-game winning streak in November.

In finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, Buffalo joined the 2016-17 Philadelphia Flyers in becoming the second of 50 NHL teams to miss the playoffs in the same season they won at least 10 straight games.